Drink-driver shocks police

Police were horrified that a woman with two small children was allegedly three-and-a-half times over the drink-driving limit. Photo / File

A woman caught driving while allegedly almost three-and-a-half times over the legal alcohol limit had two small children in the car, horrifying police who stopped her.

Sergeant Storm Sandilands of Whangarei police said it was a concern that the woman was driving with such a high breath-alcohol level but it was even more worrying that she had two small children in the car at the time.

Ms Sandilands said the woman was stopped by police at Otaika about 1.25am yesterday.

A breath test revealed a level of 1374 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath, almost three and a half times over the 400mcg legal limit.

The 41-year-old had her driving licence automatically suspended for 28 days and was charged with driving with excess breath alcohol.

She was likely to appear in Whangarei District Court this week.

The matter is also likely to be referred to Child Youth and Family service.

"Driving with almost three-and-a-half times the limit is a concern, but having kids in the car is just dangerous and a real worry," Ms Sandilands said.